Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers Day is Sunday the 6th of March this year!!! But it in your calendar and do not forget it if you know what's good for you!!!

Here are some of my gift suggestions:

Flowers

Simple, these are some options I found at the Cork Flower Studio, this is a great little shop as it does cute cards and gifts too! As well as lovely coffee!!! Support your local independent florist for one off magical arrangements!

Plants

Especially if your Mum has green fingers, plants are a must! And hopefully they last longer than flowers. You can usually pick up Mothers day themed plant arrangements everywhere!

I like to make my own arrangement, just grab a basket or nice ceramic pot and fill it with your mums favourite plants and flowers!!

Here's a plant, chocolate and wine hamper from Debenhams!

Perfume

You know what she likes and what she's getting low on so just pick it up!!!

Lancôme and YSL are always good choices!!!

Chocolate

Every woman loves a box of chocolate!!! Team them up with flowers and tea!

Breakfast in Bed

A must of all little people, mum just loves the pitter patter of little feet and the clatter of spilled orange juice and tea making its way to her crisp clean sheets!

Afternoon Tea

I love baking and suggest you bake afternoon tea, have a lovely table cloth, doileys, cute tea pot and fine bone china, cupcakes, biscuits ooh love it!!! Check out my Valentines baking blog love for some great ideas, show your mum some love!!!

Or bring Mummy out for Afternoon tea in your local 5* Hotel!

Or check out Marks and Spencer's Afternoon Tea Basket!

Spa Break

A little pricier but why not spoil mum with a nice weekend away and some spa treatments!

Home Décor

This cute cushion also from M&S is  perfect!

I love a cute Cake stand, Tea pot or cup so I would always get some for my mum when I see something we both would like!!

Get her something she wants!!!

I always say this, it doesn't have to be your typical seasonal gift. If there is something your mum has been looking at for a while be it a new handbag or a new hoover, you might as well get it for her now! There is no point getting someone a gift that they don't want or won't use!!!

Card

Don't forget the card!!! Fill it with confetti or glitter (make sure you got her that hoover!!!)

Whatever you decide on tell your mum how much she means to you, show her some love, and enjoy the day!!!

xx




If you need some more baking inspiration check out my previous posts:

Ferrero Rocher Cake

Chocolate Fudge

Last Minute Valentines Shopping

Ok so you have left it a bit late and now you are rushing to find that perfect Valentines gift, but all is not lost as I have found some quick and easy suggestions! I know I don't really get this holiday (lovey cringe worthy c*!p) but everyone likes presents!

1.Breakfast in Bed

Simple whether it is a traditional Full Irish, Eggs Benedict or Florentine, More Pancakes (cos that stuff is probably on sale) or healthy yoghurt and fruit everyone loves a surprize breakfast in bed!
So run to your local supermarket and pick up what you need!

I found these cute love heart napkins and I love you toast stamp in Tesco for €1.50 each! Perfect to set the mood!

2.Flowers

Last minute means left overs this time of year and expensive leftovers!

Tips buy two  or more smaller bunches, remove the cheap plastic petrol station looking wrapping and put in a vase on the table to surprize someone, or wrap yourself with cute gift wrap!

It needn't be roses, it's in the thought here!!! So try to remember what your significant others favourite flower is or what their favourite colour is!!!

Think about a plant, it's more long term.... like you hope to be!!!

3.Lingerie for the Lady.... or the Gentleman (who really gets to enjoy it???)

If you don't know the correct size don't bother!
Also remember Penny in the Big Bang Theory.... (slutty carrot...) make sure it's something ye both like!
















Depending on the couple, run down to primark and get a nice onsie (matching onsies) for a night in in front of the telly! (Netflix & Chill)

4.Chocolates & Deserts

Tips for the frugal make your own! Just melt down a regular (Tesco value etc.) bar and stick some jelly tots, valentines M & M's, red or pink sprinkles in it. If you don't have a silicone mould just lay it out on cling film or baking paper and make bark!

Or Bake a Cake! I know something you actually put effort into is sooo much better than something you picked up without any thought from the designated Valentines Isle!

And pick up a pack of Love Hearts and you never know some Rolo's

Previous post inspiration here and here!!!

 

5. Clothes, Shoes & Jewellery

If you want to go down this route you need to know your partner and their sizes! If it's too small or too big your basically calling them fat! Unless it's perfect you're in trouble!!!!

If it's jewellery..... it better be a ring otherwise your teasing (did I say teasing I mean dead)....if it's a ring omg you did not just do that on valentines... gay... cringe... so I say unless your on the same page and "there" just avoid this one!

If you do feel the need to propose  (cringe) do it in style with a pair of Manolo Blahniks! And remember it's two months wages you gotta spend!!!!!!!! And no one is safe this year is a leap year!!!

Shoes....Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, & Christian Louboutin are the men you need this valentines! Think modern day Cinderella!

Gifts in General!

Anything cute (teddy) or techie (no idea!) and completely un-valentines related but that you know your significant other would actually like buy it! It doesn't have to be roses and chocolate, if your man wants new head phones or a record player get them! How about a new frying pan since you burnt theirs making pancakes earlier this week!
Chocolates are gone in seconds and then the moaning starts cos now I'm fat but something heartfelt might last a bit better!!!

Enjoy the Day that is in it!

xx

~ Blogmas Day 23 ~ Last Minute DIY Gifts ~

Crafty, creative gifts are my favourite. Adding the personal touch to a gift brings a smile to every recipients face.

 

That in mind I set about making these candy cane hot chocolate bauble's , be careful you can't drop these like I did!!!

Materials/Ingredients:

• Empty Baubles from a craft shop
• Hot Chocolate Powder
• Mini Marshmallows
• Candy Canes
• Ribbons
• Tape

Method:

• Fill half the bauble with hot chocolate powder, press down to compact.
• Crush up a candy cane and add a layer on top of the chocolate powder.
• Top with mini Marshmallows.
• Seal bauble with a bit of tape. Try not to shake as layers may become combined.
• Add same ribbons for both hanging and decoration. And maybe a mini candy cane...

Sweet Stockings

This was an easy one

 

Supplies:

• Assorted Sweets
• Brown Paper
• Red Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Scissors

Method:

Cut your paper into stocking shapes.
Fill with sweets
Sew all edges closed

Reindeer Poop

Supplies:

• Maltesers
• Cellophane Bags
• Coloured Cards for labelling

Label reads:

"I've hear you've been naughty,

so here's the scoop,

all your getting is

Reindeer Poop"

Retro Sweet Box

I've seen these everywhere but you can easily make your own after a trip to your local sweet shop.

Supplies:

• Sweets
• Cake Box
• Ribbon

Everyone would love to receive these gifts, they are functional, tasty, decorative and Christmassy!!!!

Hope you feel inspired to give a homemade gift this year!

Send me your creations and leave some comments!

xx

Blogmas Day 19 ~ Baking Gifts ~

Doing some Saturday Shopping? Why not pick up some baking gifts?

One thing I have in common with my bestie is a love of baking and all things pretty!!!
So this is what she's getting this year... (hope she doesn't see this)

What's in the box??

1. Box is a cupcake box from €0.90

2. Wilton Candy Cane mini baking cases

3. Bake me I'm yours... Cakepops Book can't remember the price

4. Bake Me I'm yours... Cupcake note cards  just €1

5. Jane Asher's Cake Pop silicone Moulds just €1.49

6. Jane Asher's White Chocolate Stars and Red glitter sprinkles €1.49

7. Jane Asher's Writing Chocolate Decoration tubes €1.49

8. Jane Asher's Cake Pop Sticks €1.49

As always wrapped it all up in cellophane and stuck on some Christmas bows!!!

So I hope I've inspired you all make some personalised gifts and boxes from friends and family this year!!!

xx

Blogmas Day 15 ~ DIY Christmas Gifts ~ Mason Jars & Sweets & Treats ~

Again Craft is the way forward with gifts, everyone will remember getting a heart felt, homemade gift. Plus these can be frugal and budget friendly!

I recently purchased some mason jar glasses... thingies.... see for yourself...

I didn't know what to do with them but then I had a moment of genius whilst grocery shopping!
I was wandering the sweet isle trying to resist temptation when I came across a bag of mini fudge bars on sale, my mum likes these but the plastic bag don't look too fancy!!

Then I had the idea of filling the mason jars with sweets and treats! I also got Liquorish Allsorts and Chocolate Mint sweets!

See ... these look so fancy and all for under €10!!!!

Anyone out there making their own Christmas gifts??? Please share!!

xx

Blogmas Day 13 ~ Whitty Gifts ~

We all have friends who invite you around never telling you that their home is lacking a few key basics.... tea, milk, toilet paper!!!

My solution to kindly point out their shopping failures this Christmas.....

I found this on Pinterest (like the obsessive I am) pinned from here

The Gift Tag reads:

"Money is scarce and times are hard,

So I'm giving you this Instead of a card.

Some for you and Some to share,

So bottoms up Just cause I care"

All you need is Toilet paper, Boggly eyes, orange card for noise, Card for Gift Tag, Cellophane, curling ribbons!!!

Hope everyone likes this idea and your friends get the hint!!
Can't wait to see how it goes down!!!

xx

Blogmas Day 10 ~ DIY Hampers Secret Santa ~

Secret Santa presents can be difficult but I have some suggestions.

You know some basics about the recipient, not a lot if it's a work thing but some!

This example I know the recipient has a cute little dog and everyone loves being cosy in winter.

So off to Primark with me.

• Doggy Stocking.
• Throw
• Reindeer Slippers

Then I got a name candle in a home wear shop!

Then yep you guessed it I wrapped it all up with cellophane and curling ribbons!!!
I also added some dog biscuits!

Blogmas Day 8 ~ Hampers ~ Beauty Bouquet ~

I did a beauty gift guide here for Blogmas day 4, but some of these gifts were a bit pricey so maybe you wanna make your own Christmas beauty gift. You could make a hamper but a beauty bouquet is so much more impressive.

Gather up lots of little beauty items, I went to  you guessed it Primark for most of these!!!

Eye lashes/ nail polish/ lip balm/ eye lash curler/ nail art brushes/ beauty brushes/ lip stick/ mascara/ etc etc etc buying individual items can be more cost effective, you can pick up a lot more stuff for the same price as one store bought beauty gift.

Bouquet materials:

• Cupcake cases
• Skewers
• Oasis
• Tissue Paper
• Cellophane
• Hot glue gun
• Make-up

Got glue the skewers to the make-up then hot glue the cupcake cases to the skewer, stick skewer in oasis and repeat with everything.
Tie up with tissue, cellophane and ribbon just like a florist!!!

Beautiful!!

xx

Blogmas Day 7 ~ DIY Christmas Hampers ~

We all know somebody who has immigrated for college, work, family and lots of other reasons.
Often the only time we get to see them is Christmas so we want to get them a fabulous gift to show them just how much we miss them.

My ideas for this, include things that remind them of home that they can bring back to their new home with them!!!

So...

• Barry's Tea
• Cadburys Chocolate (mini selection box)
• Tayto
• Jellies (cos I love jellies)

How to:

• First I got a cardboard base covered with wrapping paper.
• Then I arranged the sweets and treats. Using my trusty hot glue gun to keep everything in place.
• I wrapped the whole hamper in cellophane.
• And tied it up with curling ribbon!!!

These went down really well last year!!! This year I think I will do these again, maybe a giant one!!!

Hope you make your friends some nice Christmas Hampers. Send me pics!!!

xx

Blogmas Day 5 ~ DIY Gift Planning~

Before you launch into making handmade gifts there are a few things to remember...

As a child all we had to do was glue a bit of pasta and glitter to paper and it was as if we handed our parents a Picasso this doesn't translate into adulthood!

Handmade gifts need to be good.

They must be functional or witty.

Personalise the gift, it should be something the person wants or likes.

Baking is always fun so you can bake a Christmas treat for a loved one or make a baking gift so your loved one can enjoy baking and you might get to eat the treats!!!

As I have said before It's all in the Presentation!!! So a simple gift can be made amazing if you wrap it properly, ribbons,  bows, baubles, candy canes....

 

 

 

 

Read my It's All in the Presentation Post this also deals with functional and personalised gifts.

 

All this in mind I am beginning to make my handmade gifts, I will keep you updated of my progress. I would love to hear your DIY stories, drop me a link on Twitter or leave a comment below!!

 

xx